Don't like the way your theme is looking at you? A few new videos to help you out.

Mar 22, 2011

Themes are touchy beasts. A line of funked-out CSS or a misnamed template file can send you careening down a path of sadistic uncertainty if you don't know what you're looking for. Well, here at Build a Module.com we think that's a little unfair. We should be able to change how our sites look without fear of wasting an entire day barking up the wrong tree, and this next batch of new videos is all about absolutely crushing that fear.

To begin with, we dive into some theme troubleshooting, looking at what happens when some HTML output you're trying to modify is getting lost in the shuffle. Next, we help you troubleshoot CSS issues, where styles you're trying to add just don't seem to be working. Since these last two videos are part the first chapter in our Drupal Theming Essentials series, we wrap it up with a review of the rich theming topics we've covered and some suggestions for next steps.

Next week we'll be diving into how to structure a theme directory and take a look at several interesting examples in both core Drupal and contributed themes.

Spread the code "springbreak2011" for FREE form-building videos!

Spring break is a time where people work on their form, right? Sun bathing, surfing, lounging about. As a conciliatory prize for those of you returning from spring break, or suffering in some other way from the end of those blissful days, we are offering all of the videos on our site that have the word "form" in them for free this next week. But only if you know the code.

If you know anyone that could benefit from a little Form API action, send a little tweet gently encouraging them to go to https://buildamodule.com/code and enter the code springbreak2011. That will grant them free access to form-building videos until March 28th, no strings attached!

Chris Shattuck

Developer, trainer, enthusiast

Greetings! My name is Chris Shattuck and I'm the creator of BuildAModule (over 2200 video tutorials to help anyone learn Drupal). I speakregularly at Drupal events, and have developed a training model that is allowing communities around the world learn Drupal for free across numerous continents.

I work full time on BuildAModule and have been for the last several years, so I'm not generally available for freelancing gigs - but I can give you some tips on where to get some help.

When I'm not immersed in Drupal and work, I'm working as a dad. Family is the reason I figured out how to work at home, how to run a business, and how to sell products. And holy crap, my kids make me laugh more than I've ever laughed in my life.

My alter ego (the one that's hanging out in the attic until the kids are older) is a musician and is in the process of figuring out what all this is about.

I work at a treadmill desk and have had the honor of influencing numerous others to give it a shot. I'm always looking for ways to make this short life last longer, and exercise while working helps a ton.